Across the Atlantic they are called tires, while over here we use a “Y” and say tyres. This tag provides the latest tyre business news emanating from the United States of America (USA), whichever way you spell it.
Direct negotiations between Cooper Tire and the United Steelworkers union regarding Cooper’s Findlay plant broke down late last year, yet the union has found other means of communicating its position. Tire Review reports that last weekend the USW held a “day of action” that involved protest at numerous tyre retailers that sell Cooper products. The union distributed information about “Cooper Tire's unfair and illegal lockout” of workers at the plant.
Automotive industry charity, BEN will hold its inaugural BEN Blades Summer Ball on Thursday, 21 June 2012 at Sywell Aerodrome in Northamptonshire. The event, raising money for the charity, will include two aerobatics displays, with the opportunity for attendees to take a ride in one of several classic flying machines. This will be followed by a Champagne Reception and a three-course meal.
It is nice to see that promises of better motoring are amongst the New Year’s resolutions recently made (and possibly already neglected). Fast fitter HiQ questioned 500 drivers about what they intend to change in 2012, and many indicated that an improvement in highway manners is on the cards.
The Retread Tire Association has apologised to its members for its tardiness in launching an official website, and the US-based retreaders association assures that the wait is nearly over.
Taking pole position for this year's round of price rises is Yokohama Tire Corporation, who on 3 January announced a planned increase of up to eight per cent on all its commercial truck tyres in the US. The new prices will take effect 1 February, and the company says further in-line adjustments will be announced at a later date.
According to US news website Macon.com, Kumho Tire still intends to go ahead with its plant in Bibb County, Georgia. The site reported on 22 December that a Kumho delegation told local officials that the tyre maker remains committed to building the plant. “It is their expressed intent to build that plant and to build it here,” commented Macon-Bibb County Industrial Authority attorney Kevin Brown at a recent meeting. “It’s costing them money not having that plant here. They need this in the United States.”
Cooper Tire’s keeping mum about the progress of negotiations linked to its Findlay factory, but the union representing workers offers comment on the ongoing saga almost daily. The United Steelworkers reported today that solidarity events in support of the locked out Findlay workers are being planned across the US, and it also shared that workers at Cooper’s recently-acquired ex-Trayal plant in Serbia have already pledged their support and demanded the company end the lockout.
Pascal Couasnon is to take over as director of the Michelin Group’s Competitions Department upon Nick Shorrock’s retirement on 2 April, 2012, the tyre maker has announced. The 50-year old, who joined the Michelin Group in 1987, currently holds the position of director of technical and scientific communication in the company’s Communications and Brands Department, a role he commenced in 2010.
The world's largest network of professional motor industry communicators, MIPAA Limited, presents its annual Chairman's Award to recognise an outstanding contribution to public relations. The accolade has previously been received by Robert Llewellyn, Chris Evans, Ken Gibson, Lord March, Ewan McGregor / Charlie Boorman, and Jeremy Clarkson.
Toyo Tires will fit its Open Country M/T-R tyres to Robby Gordon’s Team SPEED in the 2012 Dakar. Two of Robby Gordon’s specially built Hummer H3 racers will compete for the overall win; defending 2011 Dakar winner, Nasser Al-Attiyah joins the team in the #300 Qatar/Toyo Tires Hummer H3 while Gordon will drive his bright orange #303 SPEED Energy/Toyo Tires entry. Past off-road racing champions Gordon and Toyo Tires first competed in the Dakar in 2006. “Toyo Tires and I have worked hard over the years to develop a tyre combination that is right for the HUMMER,” said Gordon.
Bridgestone Americas appears to be seeking a five-year tax break as an incentive for it to make a planned US$20 million capital investment at its OTR tyre plant in Bloomington, Illinois, reports Tire Review. A proposal before local authorities would see property tax on the plant locked into its current rate for five years, even when the tyre maker makes improvements to the facility – Bridgestone intends to add plant equipment that would enable the manufacture of 25-inch OTR radials in Bloomington.
Goodyear has given word that its Eagle F1 Supercar has been selected as original equipment on the 2012 Dodge Charger SRT8 Super Bee, which will begin arriving at dealers in the US early next year. In announcing the tyre’s supply, Goodyear commented that the “ultra-performance tread compound on Goodyear's Eagle F1 Supercar tyre helps provide exceptional dry traction and cornering grip to the 470-horsepower automobile.” Goodyear has not given specifics on tyre dimensions.
Although Titan International intends to announce full details of its 2012 sales predictions in a conference call tomorrow, the company has already indicated its expects sales of up to US$1.9 billion next year – and the potential for even higher sales exists.
According to local newspaper The Courier, negotiations to end the lockout at Cooper Tire & Rubber’s Findlay plant in the US will resume on 13 December. As was the case for the previous, failed talks, the next round of negotiations will include a federal mediator. Whether these fresh talks will deliver results is far from certain, however – neither party has voiced a willingness to compromise its existing bargaining position.
Car parts and garage consumables distributor CES (UK) says that it is working to help independent garages ready themselves for continuing developments in the market, focusing on new TPMS legislation. From November 2012, TPMS will be mandatory on all new vehicle platforms, legislation designed to improve vehicle safety and drive down emissions. Although there is still almost a year until TPMS becomes mandatory, there are already many vehicles in the car parc that use the technology. The company has also recently launched its 2012 catalogue, with 100 pages of consumables, tools and cleaning products that are typically used every day by technicians.
If you would like the latest news from the Chinese tyre industry in Chinese, visit our partner site TyrepressChina.com. Or click below to continue on Tyrepress.
